Ahaan Panday, the breakout star of the hit romantic drama "Saiyaara," has recently shared insights into his journey toward finding his calling in acting. In a recent interview, the young actor revealed that his path wasn't always set on the silver screen; he explored various creative avenues before realizing his passion for acting.

"Saiyaara," released in July 2025, marked Panday's Bollywood debut alongside Aneet Padda. Directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Yash Raj Films, the film resonated with audiences, becoming a major commercial success and the highest-grossing Indian romantic film of all time. Panday plays Krish Kapoor, an aspiring singer, while Padda portrays Vaani Batra, an ambitious journalist.

Panday, nephew of actor Chunky Panday and cousin of actress Ananya Panday, comes from a family with strong ties to the film industry. However, he initially explored other interests. "I tried DJing, video game design..." Panday revealed, highlighting his diverse creative pursuits before settling on acting. He also worked as an assistant director for films like "Freaky Ali" and "Rock On 2," as well as the Netflix series "The Railway Man".

Despite his initial hesitation, casting director Shanoo Sharma reached out to Panday when he was 19. Sharma recalled Panday being eager to learn and driven, possessing a charming ability to get what he wanted.

Panday's journey to embodying his character, Krish Kapoor, involved a deep dive into understanding the character's nuances. Panday kept a diary where he wrote about Krish and how he wanted him to be, detailing his feelings before scenes. He aimed to bring a softness and vulnerability to Krish, who undergoes a transformation in the film.

Before "Saiyaara," Panday was slated to debut in a superhero film alongside Ajay Devgn, where Devgn would play the antagonist. However, the project was delayed due to COVID-19 and eventually shelved. In 2016, Panday acted in a short film titled "Fifty", with his uncle Chunky Panday.

"Saiyaara" tells the story of Krish and Vaani's love, filled with highs and lows as they face challenges that test their relationship. The film received positive reviews, with praise for Panday and Padda's performances, the storyline, Suri's direction, and its soundtrack. The film earned ₹20 crore at the box office during its opening. The lead single "Saiyaara" topped music charts in India and globally for several weeks.

Panday and Padda were named Gen Z Icons of the Year at the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2025 awards.